If a luxurious Mediterranean cruise is your dream, do not despair. Such a cruise may be more affordable than you think. For one thing, there are so many cruise lines and so many cruise ships vying for the lucrative honeymoon market, and that competition helps to lower prices. By shopping around, you can make your first cruise as husband and wife one you will always remember.

There are many travel related web sites that focus on travel and cruises to the Mediterranean, and they frequently offer discounted packages. It is important to search often, however, as these great deals are often snapped up quickly. It is important to be persistent to get the best deal.

After you have found the best deal on a low cost Mediterranean cruise, be sure to book it as soon as you can. There are many different packages available for Mediterranean cruises, so be sure to shop around to find the one that suits you best. There are a number of cruise lines and cruise ships that cater to honeymooners, and these ships often provide the most memorable, and most romantic, experiences.

In addition, these honeymoon themed cruise lines are often very good at providing some of the best deals to newlyweds. This is one area where you may want to consult a quality travel agent. Travel agents are often quite good at sniffing out deals on Mediterranean cruises for honeymoons, so be sure to let the travel agent know when you want to go and where you want to go.

If you can travel in the off season, or in the shoulder season, you may be able to spend a lot less on your Mediterranean cruise. The prices on these cruises often drop substantially after the high season has ended, so be sure to check for good deals in the off season.

It is important to start shopping early to book a honeymoon cruise, however. Just as the wedding takes lots of advance planning, so too with the honeymoon, particularly if your dream is a cruise to a popular destination like the Caribbean. By shopping around on the internet, however, shopping early and being persistent, you can probably score a much better deal than you ever imagined on the trip of a lifetime.

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Unfortunately, many people fail to take this approach, and as a result they end up paying for that one or two weeks of vacation through the entire rest of the year. It is far better to do the budgeting and planning ahead of time than to be stuck with a bunch of bills that need to be paid long after your vacation tan has faded.

The first thing to do, of course, is to come up with a realistic budget for your next vacation. This step is not as easy as it sounds, since many of the incidental costs associated with a vacation can be difficult to remember, and few people take the time to keep every receipt from meals, hotels, souvenirs and other travel purchases.

Even though you may not be able to capture every vacation expense, it is still a good idea to take the time to at least record the major expenditures from your last vacation. This list obviously should include things like airfare, hotel bills, and the cost of the rental car. It is fine to use estimates for things for which you do not have accurate figures, but be sure to make them realistic. After all, it is best to budget too much money and have funds left over than to budget too little and be left scrambling.

After you have your vacation budget in hand, it is time to add up the number of weeks until your next planned vacation. If you just returned, you may have almost a year to save, but if your vacation is coming up soon you may need to save some money right away.

Determining how much you need to save each week or each month is a simple matter of dividing the number of weeks or months you have to save into the amount you need to save. Of course, the easiest and most painless way to save for anything, whether it is a new house, retirement, education, or just your next vacation, is to make the savings automatic.

If you can get your employer to do it, the best way to fund a vacation fund it to have the money deducted directly from your paycheck and sent to your bank, before you ever lay eyes on it. The second best way to fund the vacation club is to have the money deducted directly from your checking account and sent to the vacation fund on a monthly, biweekly or weekly basis. However you do it, it is important that the money be transferred consistently, week after week and month after month.

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And of course flying between cities is far less time consuming than taking the train or driving yourself, and that means more time to explore the places you’ve always wanted to see, as well as more money to spend once you get there.

The key to getting the best airfares, both from the United States to destinations in Europe, and between European destinations, is to shop around and compare carefully. Most major American air carriers have partnerships with one or more European airlines, and therefore it is often possible to shop airfares between European cities from the web sites of these airlines.

In addition, the major European only airlines all have their own web sites, and most provide for online booking and confirmation as well. This makes it easy to line up all your airfare before you leave the United States. This is an important consideration, since it is often more difficult, and more expensive, to book airline tickets or train tickets after you have arrived in Europe.

The choice of European cities you plan to visit can also have a major impact on airfare between destinations. Many of the low cost European air carriers are based in London, so it is often considerably less costly to fly from London than to fly from many other major European cities. Therefore, many budget travelers choose to make London their primary destination, and to take two and three day trips from there to the places they have always wanted to see.

While it is possible to get great deals from other European gateways, it is often more difficult than flying to and from London. Just as American airlines have their own major gateways, such as New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta, so too do budget European airlines. Planning your visit around these hub cites is often the best way to get the lowest possible airfares between European cities.

Flying within Europe is surprisingly affordable for way for many budget travelers to get around. Many first time travelers to Europe, and some seasoned travelers as well, are shocked to find just how affordable it is to fly around Europe.

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Fortunately, the internet has made the process of finding a great hotel deal much easier. There are some great hotel, motel and bed and breakfast deals out there, and the internet has made them easier to find than ever.

Booking ahead is absolutely essential, as is shopping around. You simply cannot expect to simply show up at a hotel and get a good rate. Most hotel chains reserve their best room rates, and they limit their numbers. Once those low cost rooms are booked, they are simply no longer available.

It is also important to book ahead because it can be difficult to gauge the demand for lording in a particular area, even if you are familiar with your destination. Special events of which you are unaware could cause a spike in hotel demand, and hotel prices, and leave you either paying an arm and a leg for a place to sleep, or, worse yet, find yourself without a place to stay at all.

It is also important to take advantage of any and all discounts to which you may be entitled, and to not be shy about asking for discounts. Many hotel chains and independent hotels offer discounts to those in the military, senior citizens, and members of travel clubs like AAA. If you think you are entitled to a discount, be sure to ask, and be sure to verify that the discount has been applied when you arrive.

In addition, many hotel chains offer programs that are similar to airline frequent flier programs. These programs reward loyal guests with free nights and other perks. It is important to sign up for these programs whenever you can. Most of these programs are free, so signing up will cost you nothing, and you could end up with a free hotel stay.

When looking for those great hotel deals, there are a number of comparison web sites that let you easily compare available hotels by price, star level, and even proximity to certain tourist attractions. It is always best to search several of these sites, since not all hotel chains participate in every comparison site.

There is no doubt that finding a great hotel rate will take some time and some hard work, but it is very important to keeping your travel budget under control. The cost of lodging often represents at least half, and often much more, of the total cost of a vacation. It is easy to see, then, how getting the best possible deal on your hotel can keep your cost level low and your vacation fun level high.

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One of the things that makes an RV so popular among budget travelers is that it frees travelers from many of the issues typically associated with sticking to a travel budget. For instance, traveling with an RV frees the traveler from having to shop early for the best deals on airfare, hotels and rental cars. That’s because the RV serves as the hotel room, and as transportation as well. Many seasoned travelers even buy a trailer which they use to tow their car, or even a pair of motorcycles, along behind them.

Of course, the RV lifestyle does have some considerations for the budget minded traveler, not the least of which is the price of gas to fuel it. Most recreational vehicles hold a lot of gas or diesel fuel, and filling one up can result in sticker shock for many new owners. It is important to weigh the cost of fuel when determining if an RV is the right choice for you.

Traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home is often a good choice for those who want to travel to different locations, and it may be less suited to those who visit the same location year after year. As a matter of fact, many of those travelers who visit the same location every year find that the thing that suits their budget best is buying a vacation home. Buying a vacation home, and renting it out when it is not being used, can be a good way to both save money on lodging and build equity for the future.

For those who want to travel the country, however, there are few things to compare to doing it in your own RV. Many RV owners come to love the freedom of the open road, and the money they save, so much that they end up hitting the road full time, traveling from RV park to RV park and enjoying the country from coast to coast.

One great budget saving tip that is well known in the RV community, but less well known among the general public is the fact that Wal-Mart’s from coast to coast allow RV owners to park for free on their lots. That is why, when you visit your local Wal-Mart, you may have seen a number of RV’s parked near the edge of the lot. This situation is a win for both parties – RV owners have a safe, well lighted place to camp for the night, and Wal-Mart receives much needed income from those RV owners who frequent the store in the middle of the night to pick up those little things they either forgot to pack or used up along the way.

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> When planning for a particular destination, especially a popular one like Orlando, Europe or the Caribbean, it pays to plan ahead. Be sure to spend some time researching the local attractions, and comparing various lodging options. Be sure to look for discounts that are available, and see if it is possible to buy things like theme park tickets or museum admissions prior to arrival. Doing so can save you both time and money.

> Try taking your holiday in the off season or shoulder season. Avoiding the high season can provide many benefits, including lower prices and fewer crowds. Prices on airline tickets, car rentals, hates and cruises often drop significantly after the high season has gone.

> If you have friends or relatives near your chosen destination, consider asking them for a place to say. It can be fun for many people to show visitors around their town, and they may enjoy having the company. When taking this approach, however, be sure to chip in by doing chores, paying for groceries, filling the gas tank on the family car, etc.

> Try to plan flying vacations for the times of year when airfares are generally the cheapest. For most destinations, this period runs from February through May and September through December. The one exception to this rule is the week before Thanksgiving and the two weeks leading up to Christmas, when prices shoot back up. If you must fly during the high season, be sure to research the fares on low cost airlines.

> When traveling by car, be sure to pack lots of ready to eat food in the car to avoid expensive restaurant meals.

> When eating in restaurants, try to avoid those that obviously cater to the tourist crowd. Eating where the locals do will allow you to enjoy better food at lower prices.

> When planning your hotel stays, try to strike a balance between a convenient location and a low price. Hotels closer to a given attraction are generally more expensive, while those in suburbs and outlying areas tend to be less costly.

> Compare the amenities of the hotels carefully. Decide what is important to you, and use those priorities as a guide when choosing from among comparably priced hotels.

> For a low cost alternative to expensive hotels, consider renting an RV for your next vacation. There are a number of rental agencies that offer rentals, and an RV can often be a low cost alternative. RV campgrounds are generally much less expensive than traditional hotel rooms.

> When renting a car, choose the smallest, most fuel efficient vehicle you can find. Not only are compact and subcompact cars cheaper to rent, but they are cheaper to operate as well.

> If traveling in your own car, be sure it is up for the trip. A good pre vacation checkup or tune-up can save a lot of problems. Car repairs on the road can be both inconvenient and expensive.

> If the destination you are traveling to has good public transportation options, you may not need your own car, or a rental car, at all. Many large cities in the United States and Europe have such good bus, subway and train systems that a personal car is unnecessary.

> Camping can be an excellent, and very low cost vacation for nature lovers of all ages and interests. Campgrounds are easy to find and inexpensive. In addition, many campgrounds offer great amenities, such as swimming pools, sports and every movie nights.

> Planning activities that do not need a lot of money to enjoy, such as hiking and swimming, is a good way to maximize value and minimize vacation spending. In addition, museums and historical sites generally have very low priced admissions and can be fun for the entire family.

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There is unfortunately no easy answer to this question, as it is largely dependent on the location and the specific deals that are available. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand and India, are often much less costly when booked through a package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, last year I traveled solo to Egypt from New York for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than I could have booked on my own, since airfare alone would have run me over $700. The key to this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egyptair and the hotel at which we stayed.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optionals. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a package deal or independent travel is up to each individual travelers. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to take your own personal travel style into account. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

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As a matter of fact, camping is one of the most popular family activities, and many families enjoy camping together, sharing stories around a roaring fire, roasting marshmallows, swimming, fishing and all the other great things that come with a camping trip.

For many, camping brings back memories from childhood, and many parents want to give their children a taste of what their own childhood was like, back when things were so much simpler.

Another great thing about camping is that once the initial expenses are paid, there is little in the way of ongoing expenses. Unlike a traditional vacation, in which the money you spend on that great hotel is gone for good, with camping you buy your hotel room (also known as your tent) outright, and you own it forever.

After you have bought all the essential items, like the tent, a couple of good camping lanterns, a good camp stove, sleeping bags and the like, your only expenses may be the food for the trip and the gas it takes to get there.

And camping provides plenty for all members of the family to do. Dad may enjoy fishing in his favorite spot, or boating around the lake, while mom and the kids may enjoy a beautiful hike and bird watching trip. There are even campgrounds that feature movies, swimming pools and other amenities for those who prefer a level of comfort to their journey.

As a matter of fact, there are many ways to camp, from rough camping in the back country to cabins at campgrounds to even RV camping. The level is entirely up to you, and that is one thing that makes camping so attractive to budget travelers and families alike.

There is nothing quite like vacationing in the great outdoors to get back in touch with nature. From watching the wildlife to watching the stars, there is plenty to do on the average camping trip. Stargazing is particularly popular with city dwellers, who may never have seen the Milky Way in all its glory before. Getting away from the glare of city lights and see nature as it truly is.

We know that camping is one of the least expensive of all vacations, but lets take a quick look at the expenses associated with this type of budget travel. The centerpiece of the camping trip, of course, is the tent. Unless you plan to camp in an RV or rent a cabin, which is more expensive, you will need a sturdy, high quality tent. It is important that the tent be waterproof and that it close easily. Be sure the tent features a high quality zipper or other closure that is easy for every member of the family to operate. Test the zipper several times, and be sure you know how to set up the tent before you get to the woods.

Most campers will also want to invest in a few high quality sleeping bags. It is a good idea to choose a sleeping bag that is insulated, and to pick one that will be good for several seasons. Many sleeping bags are designed with removable liners and insulation. These are a good choice, since they can be used in cold weather and warm.

It is also a good idea to buy a couple of camp lanterns. These portable lights are great for lighting your way around in the dark. A cooler for drinks and food is a good idea as well, as is a portable charcoal grill or camp stove. If you are camping at a campground, however, you may be able to leave the camp stove and grill at home, since many campgrounds provide grills for their guests to use free of charge. It is important to find out what amenities each campground offers before you head out.

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Europe is actually quite a travel bargain in many ways, and if you choose your lodging, meals and transportation carefully a vacation in Europe can actually cost much less than a week in some of the most expensive cities in the United States.

One of the primary considerations of enjoying Europe on a budget is how to get around. When it comes to getting around, there are basically three choices – the bus, the train and air travel. Renting a car is often impractical in Europe, with the different types of roads, different laws and road signs in a myriad of unfamiliar languages.

Europe’s intercity bus lines offer passes, similar to rail passes, that can be purchased for various lengths of time and which provide for unlimited travel during those times. Single city to city bus tickets are often quite reasonable as well.

The main disadvantage of the bus system in Europe is that it is slow compared to rail travel and air travel. In addition, there is limited legroom on most buses, few opportunities to stand up and stretch, and some buses lack on board toilet facilities.

For many people, the extra convenience of the train more than justifies the difference in price, and train passes are still quite affordable for students and others on a budget. In addition to being faster, trains provide such amenities as toilets, and also sleeping quarters on overnight trains. Be aware, however, that there is often an extra charge for sleeping cars and other first class accommodations, even for rail pass holders.

One option that is overlooked by many budget travelers is that of city to city air travel. In Europe, however, air travel is actually quite a cost effective alternative to train and even bus travel. There are a number of excellent low cost air carriers all around Europe, and the fares they charge are often comparable to, and in some cases even lower than, train tickets between the same cities.

No matter how you get around, you will need a clean and safe place to stay once you reach your destination. There are a number of excellent low cost lodging options in Europe, ranging from hostels to hotels to bed and breakfasts. In most cases, hostels will be the least expensive option, but for groups of two, three or more it may be just as cheap, or even cheaper, to rent a small room at a budget hotel instead.

For those who arrive at their destination without reservations, there are hotel booking services available at most major train stations and airports. These booking services can usually find you a place to stay, even if the city is very crowded. For this service, they usually charge a small fee, either a set fee or a percentage of the room charge.

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One of the secrets to finding affordable budget accommodations when traveling to Europe is to check out the many bed and breakfast hotels that are common in Europe. The average bed and breakfast in Europe is much different than its American counterpart. Whereas many bed and breakfast’s in the United States are luxurious, and expensive destinations, Europeans generally regard bed and breakfast hotels as inexpensive places to stay, and they can be much more affordable than hotels in similar locations.

Most bed and breakfast hotels in European destinations are small, family run hotels. In many cases, the family has their living quarters right on the premises, and the hotel generally provides free breakfast with the price of the room.

There are many places to look for European bed and breakfast hotels, including the Internet, destination travel guides, Internet news groups and travel review web sites. While some of the larger bed and breakfast hotels have their own web sites, many do not, and word of mouth is often the best way to find them.

There are also booking services that will book the bed and breakfast hotel for you for a small fee (usually around 10%). These booking services can be very valuable, especially if you do not speak the local language.

Even if you did not plan ahead, chances are you will still be able to find an affordable bed and breakfast hotel when you arrive. The arrivals area of most European airports has at least one booking desk to help travelers without reservations find affordable accommodations. Just be sure you have a local map handy so you don’t get stuck with a hotel in the middle of nowhere.

There are some important things to keep in mind when booking a bed and breakfast or similar budget accommodations in European destinations. There are important differences in lodgings between Europe and the United States, and first time travelers to Europe are often caught unawares. Below is a list of items to consider when booking lodging for your European vacation.

> Your budget accommodations will likely be clean, but basic. In most cases the surroundings will not be fancy or luxurious, but they will be functional and clean.

> The rooms at a budget hotel or bed and breakfast will probably be small, and closet space may be limited or even non-existent.

> The least expensive rooms will have bathroom and shower facilities located down the hall, while more expensive rooms may have an in room bathroom and tub.

> A room that has only a shower will usually be less costly than one that includes a bathtub as well. If this is an important consideration, be sure to ask about the bathroom facilities when making your reservation.

> Rooms equipped with a double bed are generally less costly than those with twin beds.

> If you are driving, there is almost always an extra charge for parking. Be sure to ask about the parking charge when making your reservation.

> Be sure to buy a good map of the city you will be visiting, and make sure the hotel or bed and breakfast you choose is centrally located. It is often better to choose lodging that it within walking distance of several attractions you will be visiting, even if the room is slightly more expensive. Choosing a centrally located hotel or bed and breakfast will save you both time and money for transportation.

> When booking your lodging, be sure the price you are quoted includes all local taxes and applicable fees.

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